What I see on Facebook

by: Dale Daugherty , Wyoming 1/1/2017

Let's be real, I am very involved in a fishing site that is all about condition reports, forums, blogs, photos and everything else fishing related. Content is king. The more content the better especially when building the Wyoming side of FxR. With that being said, I can't/won't let my morals and ethics relax. I feel there is a fine line when over exposing a fishery. I have been on the wrong end of hot spotting a few waters and I have seen first hand the damage I caused.

I am active on Facebook, looking for news, reports, pictures, contributors and anything else to help the site. And a few days ago while I was cleaning throw-up off of my shirt and trying to calm a newborn I began to think about all of the pictures and descriptions and fishing reports I have seen on Facebook in the last 6 months.

Some people, like me, have a horse in the race but don't rely on the fishing industry for a living, others do make their living off of it.

Facebook has made it so easy to do anything in real time. Posting pictures is easy, going live is just as easy, joining groups and pages that are all about fishing is just as easy. Asking questions and recieving a lot of answers is pretty easy; just like FxR that info is out there forever and for everyone to see.

What I have been looking at a lot are pictures. Pictures get posted and then the questions start even if all of the info is typed by the picture.

I have seen hundreds of pictures this past week of people and fish they kept. I understand that, if it's legal blah blah blah.

I have seen so many limits of fish kept that I don't know how fisheries can last more than a year. Big bass, pike, lakers, and many other trophy fish. And, just eater fish. It is eye opening to see the amount of fish that are harvested from all over the place.

As I put on yet another clean shirt and soothe my newborn, I wonder if anyone else has had this thought and what your feelings are on the subject? What can we do to protect our fisheries and make sure my newborn as well as the rest of the next generation, has the opportunity to catch fish and enjoy this wonderful past-time?

duckhunter85, CO 1/1/2017 5:34:11 PMIm all about helping my fellow sportsmen and women but only to a point. I will post updates on here when I can but im not just going to hand out information freely. I have fished Colorado my whole life and have seen what overfishing and over harvesting has done to lakes. I have spent many, many days on various lakes doing my homework. Thousands of dollars have been spent in the process. I am all for people enjoying the great outdoors but they need to come by their favorite lakes by their own hard work and dedication. If a newbie needs a pointer in the right direction I am more than willing to help but I am not going to catch the fish for them.

bratfish, CO 1/1/2017 9:57:44 PMThe problem is simple common sense, and the lack there of, combined with how popular not having / using it are. It is that simple.

Budha, CO 1/1/2017 10:13:04 PMStar Trek Prime Directive...
I realize if it takes someone as much effort as the rest who spent decades to be "that" successful at fishing...they too would have the same regard for conservation.

bratfish, CO 1/2/2017 7:40:42 AMi agree budha. when people are 'spoon fed' information like on 'forums' they tend to not understand other views besides 'its legal'. very true B.

FISHRANGLER, CO 1/2/2017 12:20:26 PMDale you have always seemed to be one of the more happier guys here. Dont let it get to you to much. I promises you, you will be able to catch fish in the future but you may have to move. Think positive.

Ryan, CO 1/2/2017 7:19:05 PMI understand that Facebook has many more eyes on it than this site does, but I really don't see much difference between the two medias. Detailed, specific information, especially on smaller bodies of water, are detrimental to fishing. Doesn't matter if that info is posted here or on Facebook.

VGPete, CO 1/3/2017 6:50:39 AM"In the end we will conserve only what we love we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught." -Baba Dioum
We have to keep on teaching how to maintain sustainable fisheries.

Flyrodn, CO 1/3/2017 9:10:51 AMI understand the concerns people have with "hot spotting". Yet, for all of the concerns, I've found that some of the best, not all, fisheries are also some of the most heavily fished. Most of the ruin I see is what I consider damage to the resource, trash, line, vehicles where they shouldn't be, etc. I think the best thing it to be, first and foremost, responsible sportsmen ourselves, and do our part. Second, to be missionaries, if you will, and spread the word about best practices. There will always be the jerks, but the majority of folks will get the message

Dakota Dude, CO 1/3/2017 12:01:14 PMThe effects of hotspotting are real and its a terrible thing to have happen to our waters. It's also something that is just going to happen. There's really nothing guys like us can do about it. However, there is something we can do about something I've noticed on social media. People posting pictures of illegal fish. I see it constantly and it drives me crazy. Posting a picture of an illegal fish (or many illegal fish) is merely bragging about their poached catch. I know in some instances these pictures are investigated, but I don't think it stems from people intentionally poaching and as a result its looked over. Instead, I think its a result of fishermen not taking the time to read the regulations. People need to be made more aware of the regulations and why they exist. Unlike hunting, there isn't a firearms safety course or any sort of class that is required to buy a fishing license. I'm not saying their should be, but having something similar may prevent this problem.
Good article.

Fishergal, CO 1/5/2017 5:06:33 AMGood comments from everyone here...thoughtful post by Dale, holding his newborn, the little one makes us all wonder about the future.
We teach ourselves continuously about conservation and the environment, there is always something new to consider. Not only the waters...but, the air, land, wildlife management, fisheries...it is all so interconnected, like dominoes when one wobbles there is a chance it could all fall, a slippery slope. Then most importantly we teach our children, to respect what has been given to us and respect it.
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of many there will always be the few that like Daffy Duck...think..."it is mine all mine.", with never a thought for the future or for the now. We see it with pressured fisheries, with garbage left for others to pick up, with dog waste not picked up, etc. There all kinds of pollution...but I also see honest sports people who do the right thing, and patiently teach or try to teach others who are receptive, so the good folks are out there a whole army of them and we keep moving forward...in our ponds/waters we can make a difference.

ozzy, CO 1/8/2017 8:03:44 AMIts good to see that this issue fires up a lot of people. I have tried out a couple social media apps centered on fishing. My initial impression was good. Fishermen getting out there, catching fish and doing a little bragging. It turned ugly quick though. I kept seeing some great fish being caught from my area. I got all excited until i found out that most are from private lakes. To me that is not fair. I dont think you should brag about fish that the public has no chance of legally catching. I also saw a lot of trophy fish and amazing numbers of other fish taken for no good purpose. Buckets full of crappy that, most likely went to waste. Good sized pike taken by "kids" that probably had no intention of cooking it up. I think a lot of it comes down to education. If some of these people knew how difficult it is to keep fish in these lakes and manage them, they may release more fish. Sadly they dont. Needless to say, i have deleted apps like fishbrain for these reasons. They are full of jokers just doing it for the wrong reasons.

bratfish, CO 1/8/2017 12:22:43 PMdrove by a 'hotspotted' lake. the individual had about 19 huts around were he 'hotspotted'. lol. huts, the people were twice that in an area a little bigger than a football field.